Computer Lab

Today was the first day we have been to the Computer Lab in Second Grade. There is a very complicated password that the students need to learn in order to log onto the PfISD computers, and after just a few practices to remember, most students were able to get online. There are many tech skills we will need to work on in second grade but today was a day to complete our STAR test.

PLEASE!!! Do NOT confuse this online READING TEST with the 3rd Grade STATE test called STAAR!

The STAR test we took today is an online reading test hosted by Accelerated Reader. We will take the STAR test three times this year to look for reading growth. (Of course, we will also be testing students reading levels and fluency with other measurements, as well.) The STAR test helps us find your child's ZPD range, that is, their Zone of Proximal Development. The Zone of Proximal Development is a heavily researched scale that tells me at what level your child will learn quickest and easiest. During Library time, they will be encouraged to look for their ZPD range, but will not be required to stick to it. After they completed their STAR test, they were allowed "free time" on their computer to explore and have fun. Kids do like free time!

Here's a list of websites that I recommend and most students enjoy:

Switcheroo Zoo

There's A LOT of fun games kids will enjoy playing, and great videos to watch... all about amazing animals!

National Geographic for Kids

This is a fun science website. I have the magazines but the website is loads of fun all by itself! You will learn about geographic, people and of course, animals!

PBS Kids

My favorites are Arthur and the Wild Kratts!

Storyline Online

Actors and actresses read books! What's not to like? It's a really good website for evenings when your child just doesn't want to read their books.. but I guess all of these have some great reading for kids.

Highlights Kids

This is the online presence of the classic children's magazine.

ABC ya!

This a website designed by a teacher! Just click on the 2 for Second Grade and have fun. (My favorites are the strategy games.)

Fun Brain

Just so many games to play. 

There's more but this should last you for a while... 

Have fun!!!

Maths Tools Exploration

At the beginning of the year, I like to take out five different maths tools and have students spend some time playing exploring with them. I choose five at a time because I usually have five different table groupings. I put one tool on each table, we "explore" for 10 minutes and then we all move as a group to the next table to explore the tools on that table in a round robin fashion until we have been to all 5 tables. Then we do it again the next day. I might change out one of the tables for another manipulative so that all of the maths tools we have become very familiar to the students straightaway.  For instance, I noticed that the color tiles didn't have a lot of appeal to the students this year. I will replace the color tiles with Judy clocks-- which in all likelihood won't be one of the favorite tools either. At the same time, students know what these tools are used for and will be able to use them appropriately when they are needed. The Base 10 blocks, the geo-blocks and the pattern blocks are always popular and the students really need time to play explore with them before I ask them to use them.

This is important for many reasons: #1. To have the students become familiar with the tools and what they can do. #2. Playing is how children learn--- yes, even in Second Grade! They are still young learners. Allowing them to play legitimately, actually gets rid of the desire to play with them. By the time we begin to use them to REALLY solve maths problems, they will have had their fill of "playtime" and be able to get down to work with the manipulatives. #3. Familiarity allows children to "think outside the box" in using maths tools to solve problems. Thinking "outside the box" is usually the goal whilst solving problems as creativity is the most essential traits needed. As Einstein said, "It is impossible to solve a problem on the level at which it was created". I want my students to be creative and persistent problem solvers.  Here we are on our first day of "Maths Tools Exploration".

  Geo-blocks

Base 10 blocks



Color tiles



Cube-a-links


Pattern blocks

Sno-Cone Social

Were YOU able to join us for our annual Sno-Cone Social? It was AHHHH-mazing! Our school secretary, Mrs. Duncan, went all out this year and we had a lot to see and do and GET!!!! 

Didn't make it? :(  

Lucky for you, I took a few pictures... Here's what you missed:

Here we have our new librarian, our Reading Interventionist and our Art Teacher making Sno Cones. Nurse Jill Has her back to us (unfortunately). Ms. Harris a 2nd Grade teacher andMrs. Gragg (Kinder) are in the photo as well.

                             The Pflugerville Fire Department brought out an engine for the Windermere community to look at ... and we even got to climb into the truck! They also used their engine to announce a few raffle prize winners but alas, I was not one of them! But, YOU could have been a winner...

The Pflugerville Police Department was there.

AND  we had two very special guests, 
Elsa and Anna!!

They had their audience transfixed by their hit, "Let It Go". They also stayed for pictures and to sign autographs. 

Costco was there offering membership discounts...

The Girl Scouts were there signing up girls for the new year...



Hmmm... How did I not get a picture of HE Buddy, the Mt. Playmore table,  and Barnes and Noble? 

Well, they were there too, with goodies and information. (I scored... just saying')




At any rate, a good time was had by all and I hope YOU can join us next year as we once again host our annual WPS Sno-Cone Social!

Birthdays!!!

We've been lucky to have TWO classmates with August birthdays!

Birthdays are exciting for EVERYONE, especially children. It's a special day when they are recognized and appreciated. In our room, all festivities occur after lunch and right around 2:00. We finish up our work for the day and get set with our backpacks ready to leave since we won't have any time after the "partaaay" begins! 

First off I read the story, The Secret Birthday Message by Eric Carle. 

                               

The students just LOVE this book! I read it at EVERY birthday so it becomes a class tradition. I also change the name in the book to be the birthday boy's or girl's name. Then we all sing "Happy Birthday" as the child stands up in front of the class to fully receive all the LOVE that flows at that time. We end with "jazz hands" at "... and many MORE!..." We all laugh and giggle. If the child brought treats, we get one on our way out to the "party" which is really just 10 minutes of free play on the playground. I do require that every child takes a few seconds to say "Happy birthday" personally to the birthday girl or boy and I always suggest that they play with the birthday boy or girl. 

Sometimes, a birthday falls in the summer when school is not in session. It's just not fair that everyone doesn't get the pleasure of hearing their classmates sing and wish them a happy birthday. In those cases, we celebrate their "half birthday", usually in December or January. They get the full birthday treatment,--just 1/2 a year in advance of their birthday! 

                          

Birthday cupcakes or not, EVERYONE loves celebrating a birthday in our classroom. We have two more coming up in September, which includes mine, and 18 more to follow this year. I know I'm excited! Happy birthday once more, Andrew and Kayden!

Introducing...

...Our new class pets!!! Please give a big hearty welcome to Van Halen and Ozzy (as in Osbourne)!

The guinea pigs join Princess Peach, our turtle, 

and five fish in the aquarium. Princess Peach L.O.V.E.S. the classroom and she's always so happy to come back after spending the summer at my house. She enjoys the kids and she especially enjoys when the students sit by her and read. She actually comes closer to the children to see the pictures in the books.

This week we started our science unit of tools and observations with a study of turtles using Peach as our science observation. We are reading and graphing about turtles and creating an interdisciplinary unit about turtles using our classroom pet. Next week I'll talk more about the reason I have pets in the classroom.

Meet the Teacher

It was so incredible to meet ALL of my students and their families tonight! So many big smiles and so many hugs! I can already tell that we are going to have an incredible year together! Princess Peach is very excited that FINALLY someone will be around to read to her! Peach misses the classroom as much as I do each summer. Sleep tight everyone! I can't wait to see you tomorrow!

QR Codes

According to Wikipedia, QR codes stand for "Quick Response" codes. QR codes are a matrix barcode first developed for the automotive industry for fast readability and the large amount of data that can be contained within them. You probably feel more familiar with the UPC barcodes on groceries but I am sure you've seen at least a few QR codes in magazines, museums and at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. To use QR codes you need to have a QR code reader app installed on your smart phone or iPad. I have i-nigma installed on my phone but there are many available and most are free. You might want to install one if you don't have one already since we'll be using QR codes this year for many things. Some of the ideas I have already are: scavenger hunts, animal facts, a classroom tour, writing, and math facts. I have no doubt that the students will come up with some clever ideas on their own after we use them a few times as one of my goals this year is to integrate technology into the curriculum in ways that students can easily replicate and improvise. QR codes are fun and a bit like "spy stuff" for kids. That's always a great learning hook! ;) To get you started, here's the QR code that is outside our classroom door. Click on the QR code to find out more about me!